Aids and the mechanism for lipodystrophy

Aids in haemophiliacs is clearly related to the use of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents used to prevent the development of antibodies to factors VIII and IX, and to treat chronic illnesses. In his textbook, Dr Fauci and his co-authors note that haemophiliac patients routinely receive immune suppressive drugs as part of their treatment. Patients with severe haemophilia have serious chronic joint problems resulting from bleeding inside the joints. This is invariably treated with steroids. Many haemophiliacs with AIDS are HIV-negative. Dr Peter Duesberg discovered 17 studies showing that, among a total of 717 patients with AIDS, 46 per cent were HIV-negative.

Aids in people receiving blood and tissue is related to the use of glucocorticoids to prevent the adverse reactions caused by transfusion and tissue rejection. Again, it is standard treatment to give such patients steroids.

Testosterone and its derivatives, anabolic steroids (AS) are being used by persons with HIV/AIDS (PHA's) to treat AIDs related wasting syndrome and also for bodybuilding purposes. some studies have shown that AS had a positive impact on the weight and well-being of HIV seropositive individuals. It has been shown that protease inhibitors (PI's) in combination with other antiretroviral HIV therapies are associated with a symmetrical loss of subcutaneous fat from the body surface (lipodystrophy)in some PHAs.

The mechanism for lipodystrophy is not well understood. However, it is associated with hyperlipidemia that contributes to central fat deposition, insulin resistance, and in some, type 2 diabetes. As well, increased visceral abdominal fat and loss of fat inthe arms, legs and face, and increased levels of serum lipids have been reported.The health effects of anabolic steroid therapy coupled with PIs has not been examined before. This study is an observational study investigating the phenomenon of lipodystrophy in an HIV population already exposed to AS and PIs. A prospective observational design will be employed, with two groups recruited. One group will be taking AS and PI's, the other will be taking PIs only.